Locking device for automobiles.



YC. M. WRIGHT & W. L. SHAB. LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES, APPLICATION FILED IIIAY I5, I9I5.

Eaenief Jan. 25, I.

UNTE? STATE@ CHARLES M. WRIGHT AND `l/VILLIAIi/I L. SHAB, OF ALTAMGN'I', LLINOS.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed May 15, 1915.

T0 all whom may concern Be it known that \ve.CiL\nLi-1s M. ll'inoirr' and llf'iLLmn L. Sinn. citizens of the llnited States. residingA in the city of ltamont, county ot' lll'line'ham. and citate of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Locking' Devices i'or Automobiles` ot' which the following' is a full, clear, and exact description. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to devices that are used for locking an automobile during the absence ot the owner or person in charge ot the vehicle., so as to prevent the vehicle from being' used by an unauthorized person.

The main object` ot' the invention is to provide a device ot the character mentioned, which is so constructed that the steering` eolunm oi an automobile cannot be turned by manipulatingV the steering wheel when the vehicle is locked.

Another object is to provide an inexpensive automobile locking device of simple coi'istruelion. which is so designed that it is practically impossible tor an unauthorized person to use the vehicle to which the device is applied. And still another object` is to provide a steering' mechanism vfor automobiles comprising' a steering column7 a steering' wheel mounted on the column and a key-controlled device that serves to connect the steering wheel and steering column together. and which is adapted to he actuated so as to disconnect said elements. and thus render the steering column inoperative.

@ther objects and desirable 'features of the invention will he hereinafter pointe-d out.

Figure l of the drawings is a top plan view oi an automobile steering* mechanism constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig'. 2 is an enlarged top plan View of a portion ot' the steering' wheel and the upper end oi the steering column broken away so as to more clearly illustrate the device that connects the steering),- wheel and steering` column together. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the parts illustrated in Fig. Q. showing' the huh on the steering` column in elevation and partly broken away. Fig. '-t is a view similar to Fig'. 2, showing the connecting' devices between the steering wheel and steering' column rendered inoperativelso as to lock the vehicle.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No, 28,425.

llriellv stated. our invention consists in a steeringy mechanism for automobiles com prising a steering' column` a steeringY wheel loos-el)Y mounted on the steering' column and a kev-controlled device for rizgidl)7 connecting: said steering' wheel and steering column together, said device preferably con` sistinp; of the plunger ot' a mortised lock mounted in the steering' wheel. l

Vlet'errine. to the drawings, which illustrate the preferred t'orm otl our invention, A designates the steering' wheel of an antomobile steering' mechanism and B designates the steering' column on the upper end of which the steering wheel is mounted. VEhe wheel )L is loosely mounted on the huh portion 2 at the upper end of the steering column ll and is held in operative position on said hub portion b v means of a cap piece 3 on the huh portion 2 that laps over the center portion of the steering wheel and a retaining nut if on the steering' column B arranged under the huh portion 2 and projecting' laterallv 'iar enough to engage the steering wheel and prevent it from moving dowmvardlv awav 'from the cap piece 3, said nut i heineT mounted on an externally screw-threadeil portion on the steering column B. as shown in Fig. 3. tubular housing' that surrounds the steering column bears against the nut -l and prevents it trom working' loose and a sleeve 7 onthe upper end of said housing ineases said nut.

rlhe center portion oi the steering.r wheel from which the spokes ot the wheel radiate is provided with a portion i. in which a mortised lock D is seated. the plunger 5 of said lock being adapted to enter a notch or recess (i in the huh portion i oi the steering column so as to rigidly connect the steering wheel and steering column together. When the vehicle is in use the plunger o of the lock D serves to rigidlyv connect the steering wheel and column together. and thus transmits movement from the steering' wheel to the steering column. lVhen it is desired to lock the vehicle the key inserted in the leek D and manipulated so as to withdraw the plungj'er 5 from the recess 6 in the hub portion 2 of the steeringT column. as shown in Fig. 4, thus renderingr the steering mechanisin inoperative or puttingr it in such a condition that the steering' column E cannot be turned by manipulating the steering wheel A. ln other words, after the lock D has harn shew?! nur inventvev Y "ckw a SLM-bring mechanism in seex A 'x alle 100k D 1s uuhzed guide ws co1 Leey @J1-mg; 'wheel and Steermg steerm fr L ohmm teieweyf We do not wish it 'to be 5 z u invention is mted to ou? broad idea e011- steering Wheel and 1 )mobile together 1' 'mt is gmk `S in emmer @111g en mm th e 1mm, and ng vfneel me prefer to nee, e l

I )0. fas a lock fue ehi eonvenev in il en Constu ed that th Ire is j; m fs being wicked o1' Opel unzieithm @ite-wi m of Y,

ued'mnism fof :immobles, 60 1 'ng-cerlmml wing a hubis p'nvidcd ai s upper end- Hg meelumsms 1h :l @up piece, veee loosely sed on mlmiuabies, as the mmmfgeal en said 'nuo i' 1. said cap the e'nzu ,d 1" enum of fue Spekesthereoiy arranged in said 'web and f3: Nxt eonprovdea h a, plum ful-wig is afaptefl and column i0- 'Le enter y. or recess in said hub pori "lion, uut on mi@ su Column arranged 70 underneuh said Wheel so as i0 @hump said wheel A @mi nut .und the w mim up piece m1 .'Lhe hub portion9 a casing or m1 has i0 be disheu-amg lfm: ste/@fing @kann which mfa'nove the steel 111g '5k alim he underside of said nut, and 7a Steer` hrezued "leeve on the upper end'o' W) steer i vmsing ibut nut. m

Ummm

44A1e presence of two witof Muy? 1915. 

